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ruination

noun

ru·​in·​a·​tion ˌrü-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ruination (audio)
Synonyms of ruinationnext

Examples of ruination in a Sentence

Water pollution is causing the ruination of the fishing industry. neglect and indifference have proved to be the ruination of more than one marriage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advertisement What’s perhaps most critical around the plague is its embodiment of feelings of destruction and ruination. Nathan Smith, Time, 26 Nov. 2025 By now, my colleagues have grown accustomed to my gleeful ruination of the workplace. Ariel Dumas, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025 Wedding fundraising pages are not invoices that require payment under threat of credit ruination. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025 Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US. FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ruination

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ruination was in 1599

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ruination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruination. Accessed 8 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

ruination

noun
ru·​in·​a·​tion ˌrü-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce ruination (audio)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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